tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post4704926792196455822..comments2024-03-23T02:51:24.594-07:00Comments on A Life Unprocessed: Unschooling LifeMellowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-12805489577509793822013-08-19T14:33:56.722-07:002013-08-19T14:33:56.722-07:00Thanks for linking up my Friday Flash Blog on The ...Thanks for linking up my Friday Flash Blog on The Jenny Evolution. I'm back from vacation in central Colorado and ready for a great party this week. See you there!<br /><br />Jennifer<br /><a href="http://www.thejennyevolution.com" rel="nofollow">thejennyevolution.com</a>Mommy Evolutionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15524551175393068870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-39978136098039170352013-07-20T10:18:40.266-07:002013-07-20T10:18:40.266-07:00That's so awesome! I love a new take on paren...That's so awesome! I love a new take on parenting. I'm so glad you came to share at Super Saturday Show & Tell last week... this week I'm co-hosting a HUGE bash with 2 other bloggers! Come on over http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com and share again! xoxo~ RuthieAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12810951361189744261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-7911573162819193802013-05-16T00:06:33.201-07:002013-05-16T00:06:33.201-07:00I agree. I think every family totally needs to plo...I agree. I think every family totally needs to plot their own course here, when it comes to how much to unschool. We recently decided to have a "workbook time" ever morning. How unschooley is that?? But mostly my kids are into it, and they fully get to choose any kind of workbook (the 5 year old picks dot-to-dots or mazes quite often). But we feel like just the habit of doing some work like that every morning (even just for 10 minutes if that's all they want) is useful for our kids. It's not what I expected we'd be doing, but it's working for us right now!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-47346750528334055832013-05-16T00:02:02.532-07:002013-05-16T00:02:02.532-07:00I think it's good to frequently reevaluate our...I think it's good to frequently reevaluate our parenting habits. Reading these kinds of books helps remind me of the kind of parent I try to be, and think about what my goals are and all that. Some rules are needed, but it's so easy to get into the habit of adding more!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-52288256251368157722013-04-29T18:07:06.969-07:002013-04-29T18:07:06.969-07:00Sounds like the book had a really good impact on y...Sounds like the book had a really good impact on you and how you reflect on your parenting. Thanks for sharing your perspective on Tuesday Greens!Becky Elmucciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10115211713006910388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-78804131323950211662013-04-22T13:02:34.013-07:002013-04-22T13:02:34.013-07:00Great post!Great post!Loriel @ Healthy Roots, Happy Soulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02677069884104631204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-29156444275280604292013-04-13T18:59:36.664-07:002013-04-13T18:59:36.664-07:00Terrific post! Thank you for sharing. I will go ...Terrific post! Thank you for sharing. I will go check out that book. Your post alone gave me alot to think about. I was more open with trusting my kiddos when they were younger but now I notice that I am making "rules." I love it when things hit me in the face at just the right time! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-73528617488635581502013-04-13T15:53:26.679-07:002013-04-13T15:53:26.679-07:00Great way to grow into a mutually respectful relat...Great way to grow into a mutually respectful relationship with your family :)<br />Thank you so much for sharing this on The Creative HomeAcre Hop! I hope to see you again tomorrow. :)<br />http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/04/creativehomeacre11.htmlLisa Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681345431037616090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-88100851442246681582013-04-08T06:08:41.165-07:002013-04-08T06:08:41.165-07:00That is an interesting blogpost! I totally agree ...That is an interesting blogpost! I totally agree about the junk food and unlimited tv And I don't want to cause any problems here, but depending on the ages of your children, I feel like you do need to "impose" some "rules" or "guidelines". The older they get, the more responsibility they need to be given and expected to do. Otherwise, how else will they learn these skills to care for or provide for their own households one day? I've homeschooled for 18 years ~ some subjects we "unschooled"...like History & Science both of which my children love and devour. Math, not so much but it has to be learned so they can function in the world.Greg and Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00971301563589708491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-3659595380762913222013-04-07T08:23:47.002-07:002013-04-07T08:23:47.002-07:00I'm the Nana. I enjoyed reading this. Each chi...I'm the Nana. I enjoyed reading this. Each child is so different though....gardenbughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14859705179619775343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-23564755427009673412013-04-02T08:03:52.933-07:002013-04-02T08:03:52.933-07:00What an informative {great} read. Thank you so mu...What an informative {great} read. Thank you so much for sharing at Project Inspire{d}.<br /><br />Have a wonderful week!<br /><br />Hugs,<br />Mary Beth Mary Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00457464820972872221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-87043183082451173972013-03-05T07:12:05.326-08:002013-03-05T07:12:05.326-08:00Sounds like a worthwhile read. I was homeschooled...Sounds like a worthwhile read. I was homeschooled and am more of an unschooler with my littles. Finding a balance between freedom and rules is a challenge... <br /><br />Thanks for sharing with us at Eco-Kids Tuesday. I hope you stop by again today! http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2013/03/stamping-fun-at-eco-kids-tuesday.html<br /><br />HannahWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152138583916560277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-90982064347905454512013-02-13T07:47:56.464-08:002013-02-13T07:47:56.464-08:00Thank you! It sounds like we have very similar par...Thank you! It sounds like we have very similar parenting styles. Our kids do get video game time every day if they ask for it (they probably ask for it 3 or 4 times a week) but only for about 30 minutes at a time. I don't time it, but after it's been a while I just suggest that it should be the next kid's turn, if they haven't already done that. My kids are younger though, maybe once we have a 9 year old it will be important to let them play longer to really get into complex games. I don't know- we just try to stay flexible and revisit any "rules" that seem to have outlived their usefullness ;) We recently started having one big gaming session a week where we can play as a family (usually something like Donkey Konga). <br />Video games can be intense! Some other moms I was talking to mentioned how their kids always had a hard time, emotionally, after playing a lot of game time. They can definitely be useful and fun, but I would look at them differently if they consistently left my kids feeling bad. <br />Thanks for your comment!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-30536789376754614342013-02-12T20:56:30.846-08:002013-02-12T20:56:30.846-08:00Thanks for the review and your thoughts. I just or...Thanks for the review and your thoughts. I just ordered the book and was looking for people's perspective on what they read. I'm really excited to get it now! We are also unschoolers of a sort. But I am shying away from that term because I believe it is reserved for those that really follow the philosophy. So I'm with you. No curriculum sure, but we also don't "teach". So in that we are following the guidelines John Holt laid out. They are free to explore and we support them in their ideas and passions no matter what they are. They follow their own beat. But I 'encourage' a bedtime that is best for their little minds and bodies. I use snuggling and reading and stories and journaling as a way to end the day peacefully. I don't 'limit' sugar, I just don't buy it and when a treat is offered or they buy it with their own money it is theirs to enjoy. But the spending money I give them is limited and they clearly understand that so some weeks it's used for candy and some weeks it's saved for a toy or upcoming vacation. I don't dictate this - they learned it on their own. Nor do I judge when purchases are made with comments like "that's not a very good use of your money". If someone said that to me I'd be annoyed. However I will point out where they can capitalize on a sale or opporuntity I'm aware of in their future. Such as "you have a birthday party to go to next week - where there will be sweets. Did you still want to spend your money knowing that's around the corner?" If the answer is yes then the decision in their mind is clear. They have free access to T.V. but rarely will choose it over other opportunities when offered. Sometimes they just need to know they can come back to the show they were wanting to watch later. Easily done. Gaming we "reserve" for one full day a week and I offered that with the understanding that it comes with my undivided attention and support. They are 9, 7 and 5 year old boys, so sometimes video games produce tears and frustration. I was inclined to take it away because they were clearly not coping with the experience. I thought I "allowed" this too young. Which could very well me. Now I sit with them and we work it out together. Only the little one asks for it all week long and that's because he's bored and it's winter. I can usually offer something else and he now says "mommy I'm bored and would be happy to play a video if you don't want to play with me". Funny kid. Nice to find you on the web! Your blog has been really fun to read!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-30183932222992657582013-02-02T14:05:13.803-08:002013-02-02T14:05:13.803-08:00That's wonderful, thank you!That's wonderful, thank you!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-6670302606091418082013-02-02T12:53:48.559-08:002013-02-02T12:53:48.559-08:00Thought provoking! My daughter is 2 and her indepe...Thought provoking! My daughter is 2 and her independence is blossoming quickly. This post has given me ideas how to adjust my parenting style and watch her bloom. Thank you! <br />Also, just started my ginger bug. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-4337971358474283412013-01-15T12:25:34.086-08:002013-01-15T12:25:34.086-08:00Thank you! We pulled our youngest out of preschool...Thank you! We pulled our youngest out of preschool last Fall, when he still had a year left of the program, and we have never looked back! It's so liberating having our schedule back, and we have so much free time together now!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-22726233828883236962013-01-15T07:29:12.616-08:002013-01-15T07:29:12.616-08:00Thank you for putting these thoughts to paper. Our...Thank you for putting these thoughts to paper. Our oldest will be five in April, and we're wrestling with the idea of sending him to kindergarten. The more perspectives the better.Stealthy Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02068098254157954824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-4463126928779460132013-01-15T04:13:27.951-08:002013-01-15T04:13:27.951-08:00A wonderful, thought provoking post Mellow- thanks...A wonderful, thought provoking post Mellow- thanks for sharing this with us at Seasonal Celebration Wednesday! Rebecca xNatural Mothers Networkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08970463827697469695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-63155353746007840972012-12-28T08:28:15.840-08:002012-12-28T08:28:15.840-08:00I just met a family that unschools their three boy...I just met a family that unschools their three boys, ages 7, 12, and 17. With that age spread, they never thought homeschooling would work for their family. However, when they discovered unschooling they realized how easy it could be! They are very enthusiasitc about unschooling now. Good luck!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-80639270620913857842012-12-28T08:00:39.021-08:002012-12-28T08:00:39.021-08:00Interesting. With our kids so spread out this woul...Interesting. With our kids so spread out this wouldn't work for us, but I am glad it works for you.Diana of Diana Rambleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09837630324310647062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-51816545330113158412012-11-29T07:20:34.391-08:002012-11-29T07:20:34.391-08:00Thank you! Your website looks wonderful!Thank you! Your website looks wonderful!Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-37265167488904038662012-11-29T06:11:29.226-08:002012-11-29T06:11:29.226-08:00Hi Mellow! A beautifully crafted post and I do ver...Hi Mellow! A beautifully crafted post and I do very much agree with the points you make. We would love to welcome you over at Seasonal Celebration Sunday linky each week athttp://www.naturalmothersnetwork.com. Hope to see you there:-) Rebecca xNatural Mothers Networkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08970463827697469695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-78257876848485927732012-11-19T17:44:28.770-08:002012-11-19T17:44:28.770-08:00Really interesting post! It's given me a lot ...Really interesting post! It's given me a lot to think about for my own (one day in the future) children. I've said myself sometimes that I might prefer to home school, so it's interesting to hear another's perspective. <br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing this on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday :) I've pinned it to my WNWN board and don't forget to check back on Wednesday to see if you've been featured. Danielle @ Poor and Gluten Freehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09836360004405159423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-60756560913682314062012-11-15T12:12:35.671-08:002012-11-15T12:12:35.671-08:00I know- just like junk food, tv is designed to be ...I know- just like junk food, tv is designed to be addictive. We make it easy by not having tv at all. We watch nature dvds, and they see cartoons at grandma's house, but no mindless staring at the tube for hours on end (like I did when I was a kid!)Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11320881197482295606noreply@blogger.com